What does it mean to "meditate" on God's Word?

I've struggled with this concept as I was confused by religions that "mediate" by emptying their minds as they sit cross legged while humming AND then hearing that God calls us to mediate on His Word.

So what's the difference? The other religions teach to "blank" your mind, if you will, or picture yourself on a deserted island to find peace. I personally can't MAKE myself at peace, my brain works too much to ever be able to "be peaceful," rather, I need God's peace to reign in my heart to experience REAL peace. So from my experience, God's way is the only way that works...hence we go to the BIBLE!

In the Bible, it tells us about 14 different times to mediate on God's Word. Which is a FILLING of your mind, with God's instruction, commandments and life giving Word!

2 Ways we can get God's Word IN US:

1. Hearing it.
2. Reading it.

Then we are to take whatever verses, parables (story used to explain a principle) and think on them, over and over throughout the day AND night.

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

In Hebrew, the word mediate is: to muse, to ponder. And in Greek, it means to: revolve it in the mind, to consider it over and over. One interesting example is to "chew the cud" as cattle. They eat grass, then sort of regurgitate it back up and chew on it some more. This might be the only time I think it's a good idea to be like a cow! Ha ha ha!

I know from personal experience, it's good to think on, or mediate, on the past things God has done for me. It always refreshes my faith to think on those, and it's also why I think it's so important to keep a prayer journal--where you write what's on your heart and also when God answers your prayers or works something out in your life that you have been struggling with. It's a wonderful blessing to keep a prayer journal!

And one last helpful thing we gain from meditating on God's Word, learning from the failures of those who have gone before us. We can learn from a good example AND a bad example if we choose to! And that's exactly what this verse is referring to:

1 Corinthians 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

When we study and understand how our brothers and sisters have failed to have faith, obey or do as God has instructed...we can learn to do better in OUR life. We can avoid the same pitfalls, if we know what they are! I'm all for learning from the mistakes of others, it's like getting a freebie on life wisdom!

I hope this helps you want to mediate on God's Word and gain all of the benefits and blessings God promises to those who do it!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.


Huge huge love,

Tiffany